After defeats to Manchester City, Feyenoord and Watford, a trip to Northampton in the EFL Cup was just what the new United boss did not need.

With their nickname, he knew another defeat would be a real kick in the Cobblers for him as he bids to prove he is the man to revive United’s fortunes.

But the Special One emerged victorious, thanks largely to a hapless display by Northampton keeper Adam Smith, whose gaffes were directly responsible for two of United’s goals.

After going ahead and looking set for a stroll at Sixfields, yet more shocking defending had let the League One minnows back into it with an equaliser just before half-time.

The Cobblers had paid the penalty in the 18th minute after keeper Smith foolishly picked up a back-pass.

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Ludivine Kadri Sagna/Twitter

Ludivine Kadri Sagna the wife of Bacary Sagna

Memphis took the free-kick in the box and teed up Wayne Rooney, whose shot hit one of the many Northampton players charging at him.

But it rebounded straight to Michael Carrick just outside the box.

And the 35-year-old midfielder swept in a superb side-footed shot for the opener.

It was the stalwart’s first goal since March 2015 and certainly a timely one for his boss.

But United then paid the penalty for some awful defending.

Tim Fosu-Mensah inexplicably dithered near his goal rather than just clear and was dispossessed.

As the ball broke into the box, Daley Blind dived in on Sam Hoskins and ref Stuart Atwell pointed to the spot.

Veteran striker Alex Revell was coolness personified from the spot, sending Sergio Romero the wrong way as he drove the ball low to the keeper’s left.

“Sacked in the morning,” the home fans sang to Mourinho, who had stood with hands deep in his trouser pockets through the whole sorry episode.

Mourinho had his men doing some light training in the car park of the nearby four-star Daventry Court Hotel, having stayed there on the eve of the game.

The manager, who came up with the dig “parking the bus” to describe a defensive opponent, was no doubt hoping the League One team would not put up the barriers in a bid to shut out and frustrate their star-studded opponents.

Despite making nine changes from the side who lost 3-1 at Watford on Sunday – only skipper Rooney and centre-back Chris Smalling stayed in – Mourinho still picked a strong team packed full of internationals.

His bench was even stronger, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcus Rashford.

Rooney scuffed a shot wide early on and his struggles continued in the 31st minute when he was adjudged to be offside after tapping in a rebound when Fosu-Mensah’s header struck the bar.